Session 1.1f - TeachMeAnatomy - Bones of the Thorax - Thoracic Spine Flashcards
1
Q
The thoracic spine is the ______ segment of the vertebral column
A
Second
2
Q
The thoracic spine is located between which vertebral segments?
A
The cervical and lumbar
3
Q
How many thoracic vertebrae are there?
A
12
4
Q
What are the thoracic vertebrae separated by?
A
Intervertebral discs
5
Q
The thoracic spine forms part of the thoracic cage along with what?
A
The sternum and ribs
6
Q
The sternum, ribs, and the thoracic spine forms ___
A
The thoracic cage.
7
Q
The thoracic cage is a ____ structure made up on ____
A
bony; sternum, ribs and thoracic spine.
8
Q
What is the function of the thoracic cage?
A
To protect the internal viscera
9
Q
Name some organs the thoracic cage protects.
A
Heart
Lungs
Oesophagus
10
Q
What are the four features that distinguish thoracic vertebrae from other vertebrae?
A
- HEART-SHAPED body
- DEMI-FACETS either side of the vertebral body
- COSTAL FACETS on the transverse processes
- SPINOUS PROCESSES which are long and slant inferiorly
11
Q
Describe the vertebral body of the thoracic vertebra.
A
It is heart-shaped
12
Q
Where are the demi-facets of thoracic vertebra found?
A
On the sides of each vertebral body
13
Q
What do the demi-facets of thoracic vertebra articulate with?
A
Heads of the ribs
14
Q
Where are the costal facets of thoracic vertebra found?
A
On the transverse processes of T1-T10
15
Q
What do the costal facets of thoracic vertebra articulate with?
A
Tubercles of the ribs
16
Q
Which vertebra are the costal facets found on?
A
T1-T10
17
Q
Describe the spinous processes of thoracic vertebra.
A
They are long and slant inferiorly.
18
Q
Relate the structure to function of the spinous processes of thoracic vertebra.
A
The spinous processes are long and slant inferiorly. This offers increases protection to the spinal cord, preventing an object such as a knife entering the spinal canal.
19
Q
Where are the superior and inferior costal facets of thoracic vertebra located?
A
On the sides of each vertebral body
20
Q
What do the superior and inferior costal facets of thoracic vertebra consist of?
A
CARTILAGE lined depressions
21
Q
What do the superior and inferior costal facets of thoracic vertebra articulate with?
A
The heads of the ribs
22
Q
What does the superior costal facet of thoracic vertebra articulate with?
A
The head of the adjacent rib
23
Q
What does the inferior costal facet of thoracic vertebra articulate with?
A
The head of the rib below
24
Q
In the majority of thoracic vertebra, the superior and inferior costal facets are ___
A
DEMI-FACETS.
25
In which thoracic vertebra are the superior and inferior costal facets presented as demi-facets?
T2-T9
26
Instead of demi-facets, some atypical thoracic vertebra possess ___
whole facets
27
A vertebra that doesn't follow the same pattern as the others is known as?
Atypical vertebrae
28
What is different about the atypical thoracic vertebrae?
They display variation in the size, location and number of their superior and inferior costal facets.
29
Describe what is atypical about T1.
Superior facet is not a demifacet
30
Explain why T1 does not have a superior demifacet.
Its superior facet is not a demifacet, as this is the only vertebrae to articulate with the 1st rib.
31
Describe what is atypical about T10.
A single pair of whole facets is present.
32
What do the facet(s) of T10 articulate with
The whole facet on either side articulate with the 10th rib.
33
Where is the facet(s) found on T10?
The single pair of whole facets are located across both the vertebral body and the pedicle.
34
Describe what is atypical about T11 and T12.
Each have a single pair of entire costal facets
35
Where are the facets of T11 and T12 located.
Each has a single pair of whole facets, which are located on the pedicles.
36
What are the groups that the joints of the thoracic spine can be divided into?
Two groups:
Those that are present throughout the vertebral column
Those unique to the thoracic spine
37
What are the types of joints that are present throughout the vertebral column>
Two types:
- BETWEEN VERTEBRAL BODIES
- BETWEEN VERTEBRAL ARCHES
38
Describe the joints between vertebral bodies.
Adjacent vertebral bodies are joined by intervertebral discs.
39
What are intervertebral discs made of?
Fibrocartilage
40
What type of joint is the intervertebral joint?
A type of cartilaginous joint.
41
What is a fibrocartilaginous fusion between two bones called?
A symphysis.
42
What is a symphysis?
A fibrocartilaginous fusion between two bones, i.e. a fibrocartilaginous joint found between two bones.
43
Give an example of a symphysis found in the vertebral column.
Between vertebral bodies.
44
Where is the joint between vertebral arches?
It is formed by the articulation of superior and inferior articular processes from adjacent vertebrae.
45
What type of joint lies between vertebral arches?
A synovial type joint.
46
Which articulations are unique to the thoracic spine?
Articulations between the vertebrae and the ribs.
47
For each rib, there are ___ separate articulations, known as _______.
two; costovertebral and costotransverse
48
What is the costovertebral joint?
The head of the rib articulating with
- superior costal facet of the corresponding vertebra
- inferior costal facet of the superior vertebra
- intervertebral disc separating the two vertebrawe
49
The articulating between the head of the rib and the superior/inferior costal facets and intervertebral disc is known as ___
The COSTOVERTEBRAL JOINT
Note: It is the superior facet of the corresponding vertebra, and the inferior facet of the superior vertebra
50
What attaches the head of the rib to the intervertebral disc?
The intra-articular ligament of head of rib
51
What movement occurs at the costovertebral joint (between the head of rib and intervertebral disc mainly)?
Only slight gliding movements
52
Why is there limited movement at the costovertebral joint (mainly between the rib head and intervertebral disc)?
Only slight gliding movements can occur at these joints, due to the close articulation of their components.
53
How are the costotransverse joints formed?
By the articulation of transverse processes of a thoracic vertebra and the tubercle of the adjacent rib.
54
Which part of the vertebra makes the costotransverse joint?
The transverse processes (of thoracic vertebra)
55
Which part of the rib makes the costotransverse joint?
The tubercle of the adjacent rib.
56
Articulation between the rib head and transverse processes is known as ___?
The COSTOTRANSVERSE joint.
57
The costotransverse joints are present in which vertebrae?
All except T11 and T12.
58
How is the thoracic spine strengthened?
By the presence of numerous ligaments.
59
Which ligaments are present throughout the vertebral column?
- ANTERIOR AND POSTERIOR LONGITUDINAL LIGAMENTS
- LIGAMENTUM FLAVUM
- INTERSPINOUS LIGAMENT
- SUPRASPINOUS LIGAMENT
60
What are the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments?
Long ligaments that run the length of the vertebral column, covering the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs.
61
What are the long ligaments that run the length of the vertebral column, covering the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs called?
ANTERIOR AND POSTERIOR LONGITUDINAL LIGAMENTS
62
What is the ligamentum flavum?
Connects the laminae of adjacent vertebrae.
63
What connects the laminae of adjacent vertebrae?
LIGAMENTUM FLAVUM
64
What is the interspinous ligament?
Connects the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae
65
What connects the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae?
INTERSPINOUS LIGAMENT
66
What is the supraspinous ligament?
Connects the tips of adjacent spinous processes.
67
What connects the tips of adjacent spinous processes?
SUPRASPINOUS LIGAMENT
68
What happens to the interspinous and supraspinous ligaments in the cervical spine?
They thicken and combine to form the nuchal ligament.
69
What is the nuchal ligament?
A thickening and combination of the inter- and supraspinous ligaments.
70
Where is the nuchal ligament found?
In the cervical spine.
71
What ligaments are unique to the thoracic spine
- RADIATE LIGAMENT OF HEAD OF RIB
- COSTOTRANSVERSE LIGAMENT
- LATERAL COSTOTRANSVERSE LIGAMENT
- SUPERIOR COSTOTRANSVERSE LIGAMENT
72
As well as the ligaments present throughout the vertebral column, a number of ___ ligaments also _______ the ___________ ______, which are unique to the thoracic spine.
A number of small ligaments also support the costovertebral joints.
(?)
73
What is the radiate ligament of head of rib?
Fans outwards from the head of the rib to the bodies of the two vertebrae and intervertebral disc.
74
What is the structure that fans outwards from the head of the rib to the bodies of the two vertebrae and intervertebral disc called?
RADIATE LIGAMENT OF HEAD OF RIB.
75
What is the costotransverse ligament?
Connects the neck of the rib and the transverse process
76
What connects the neck of the rib and the transverse process?
COSTOTRANSVERSE LIGAMENT
77
What is the lateral costotransverse ligament?
Extends from the transverse process to the tubercle of the rib.
78
What extends from the transverse process to the tubercle of the rib?
LATERAL COSTOTRANSVERSE LIGAMENT
79
What is the superior costotransverse ligament?
Passes from the upper border of the neck of the rib to the transverse process of the vertebra superior to it.
80
What passes from the upper border of the neck of the rib to the transverse process of the vertebra superior to it?
SUPERIOR COSTOTRANSVERSE LIGAMENT.
81
(Clinical Relevance: Thoracic Kyphosis)
What is kyphosis?
An excessive curvature of the thoracic spine.
82
(Clinical Relevance: Thoracic Kyphosis)
An excessive curvature of the thoracic spine is known as ___?
Kyphosis
83
(Clinical Relevance: Thoracic Kyphosis)
How does kyphosis present?
The back appears "hunched"
84
(Clinical Relevance: Thoracic Kyphosis)
The back appears "hunched" in what condition?
Kyphosis
85
(Clinical Relevance: Thoracic Kyphosis)
Poor posture, Scheuermann's kyphosis and fusing of vertebrae during development are indicative of kyphosis developed when?
Early in life
86
(Clinical Relevance: Thoracic Kyphosis)
What are some causes of kyphosis in early life?
It may occur for a number of reasons early in life, including:
- Poor posture
- Abnormally wed-shaped vertebrae (Scheuermann's kyphosis)
- Fusing of vertebrae during development
87
(Clinical Relevance: Thoracic Kyphosis)
Abnormally wedge-shaped vertebrae that leads to symptoms of a hunched back is known as ___?
Scheuermann's kyphosis
88
(Clinical Relevance: Thoracic Kyphosis)
What is Scheuermann's kyphosis?
Abnormally wedge-shaped vertebrae causing uneven growth of the vertebrae, that leads to kyphosis.
89
(Clinical Relevance: Thoracic Kyphosis)
What can cause kyphosis in adults?
Various diseases, mainly, OSTEOPOROSIS.
90
(Clinical Relevance: Thoracic Kyphosis)
What is the most common cause of kyphosis in adults?
OSTEOPOROSIS
91
(Clinical Relevance: Thoracic Kyphosis)
What is osteoporosis?
A condition whereby bone mass is lost.
92
(Clinical Relevance: Thoracic Kyphosis)
A condition whereby bone mass is lost is called ___?
OSTEOPOROSIS.
93
(Clinical Relevance: Thoracic Kyphosis)
Osteoporosis mostly occurs ___?
In older people
94
(Clinical Relevance: Thoracic Kyphosis)
How can osteoporosis lead to kyphosis?
This condition loses bone mass. This therefore leaves the spine less able to support the weight of the body, thus resulting in characteristic kyphosis.
95
(Clinical Relevance: Thoracic Kyphosis)
What can cause kyphosis?
Early in life:
- poor posture
- Scheuermann's kyphosis
- fusing of vertebrae during development
Adults:
- osteoporosis
(many others but that is the most common)
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kyphosis/causes/
96
Fig. 1
Caption the image
Overview of the thoracic spine
97
Fig. 2
Label the image and caption it.
- Costal facet
- Demi-facets
- Spinous process
Lateral view of a thoracic vertebrae.
98
Fig. 3
Label the image and caption it.
- Costovertebral joint
- Costotransverse joint
Articulations between a rib and its numerically corresponding vertebrae.
99
Fig. 4
Label the key and caption it.
- Anterior longit. ligament
- Posterior longit. ligament
- Ligamentum flavum
- Interspinal ligament
- Supraspinous ligament
Ligaments of the lumbar vertebrae.
100
Fig. 5
What clinical presentation does this image show?
Thoracic kyphosis
101
What is a characteristic feature of the thoracic vertebrae?
A. Vertebral body kidney shaped
B. Bifid spinous process
C. Long and slanted spinous processes
D. Transverse foramina
C. Long and slanted spinous processes
This is a characteristic feature of the thoracic vertebrae
102
Which of these ligaments is unique to the thoracic spine?
A. Anterior longitudinal ligament
B. Costotransverse ligament
C. Nuchal ligament
D. Interspinous ligament
B. Costotransverse ligament
This ligament is unique to the costotransverse joints of the thoracic spine
103
Which part of the ribs do the thoracic vertebral bodies articulate with?
A. Head
B. Neck
C. Tubercle
D. Costal cartilage
A. Head
The head of the rib articulates with costal facets on the vertebral body
